Prosecutors seek to broaden Cosby trial

In a significant development, prosecutors in the sexual assault trial of comedian Bill Cosby divulged for the first time Tuesday that they will ask a Pennsylvania judge to allow testimony from 13 women who have accused Cosby of sexual abuse. The women, whose names have not been disclosed, would be called to the witness stand in an effort to establish a pattern of past conduct by Cosby, who faces felony charges for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, a former Temple University women’s basketball team official, in 2004.

Sixty women have accused Cosby of rape, sexual assault or sexual harassment, a cavalcade of allegations that has generated headlines around the world and wrecked his reputation. But only one accusation — Constand’s claim that Cosby sexually assaulted her at his suburban Philadelphia mansion in 2004 — has led to a criminal charge.

At Tuesday’s hearing, Judge Steven O’Neill of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas set a June 5 trial date for the 79-year-old entertainer.

The 13 women District Attorney Kevin Steele hopes to call to testify about Cosby’s prior alleged “prior bad acts” have made accusations that span from the early 1960s through the 1990s. They include several aspiring actresses and models, as well as waitresses, a flight attendant, a masseuse and a doughnut shop clerk. One woman worked at the Playboy Club in New York.

Cosby has adamantly denied assaulting women. After the court hearing, his newest lawyer, Angela Agrusa, lambasted the media, accusing them of not doing enough investigation to determine whether the accusations can be corroborated.

The Cosby case has been marked by intense pretrial manoeuvring. Cosby was charged in December with three counts of aggravated indecent assault. For months, his legal team has tried to impede, block or otherwise forestall prosecutors from taking him to trial. The Washington Post